Tag Archives: guitars

Well, it used to be burgundy, and now it forest green. I love them both, and together. The burgundy/maroon thing got out of control. It one point, my bi ass truck was that color, as was my guitar, as was my jacket and my Carhartt hat. On top of that, I was likely wearing oxblood doc martens. Now my truck is green, but everything else is a bit better balanced. Of course I love black as well, as it just goes with everything.

Here is something silly, and possibly related… the wifey’s new car is maroon. Something in closing on this issue – I hate the color red. Isn’t that weird? It’s like saying I hate Kenny Loggins**, but Loggins/Messina*** are the bomb!

If you could switch places with someone else for a day, who would that person be?

The President. Would love to know what a day in the life is like. Oooh, wait… be a rock star the day of a gig. Dave Grohl. Not just because he is a rock star, but because he seems to get life. He is always joyful and curious and appreciative. Plus, he has rad hair and beard, and rocks. I could SO live vicariously through him.

What is your very first memory?

Waking up in a cabin, we were camping somewhere. It was all foresty out, I am maybe 5 years old? It wasn’t our cabin, but some friends… no idea who. As I walked out and rubbed the sleep from my eyes, folks were sitting out in the grass among the pine trees just enjoying themselves on a perfect sunny day. John Denver’s ‘Country Road’ was playing. It was, and still remains, my happy place. It’s why I moved to Colorado. Not for the John Denver, but for the woods.

Have you ever wanted a pony for your birthday? If not, what has been the craziest thing you’ve ever wanted for a birthday/other celebration present?

I have two ponies, thank you. I can’t think of anything great or interesting… usual stuff. Looking back, I remember really wanting (and luckily getting) waterbed when I was a kid. Remember those? What happened to them? They were AWESOME.

Oh… wait… this is kinda related. It wasn’t what I wanted, but I got a puppy for my birthday once. Y’all remember Max, right? He was a surprise birthday present from the wifey. This was before she a wifey… and was my girlfriend. Well, once your gal gives you a Max… you know you got the right gal!

If you suddenly received a ton of money and could open up some kind of store or service just for the pleasure of having it (assume it wouldn’t have to be too financially successful!), what would it be?

a guitar and book store. used and rare guitars and books. Plus, repair services for both. Also, we would have a selling service where you leave your book/guitar with us and we will clean it up and photograph it and market it for you online.

What service or store that no longer exists do you miss most

Fossil. We had one of those stores in our Outlet malls at Castle Rock. They had super cool stuff, like this. Plus, really great deals on watches. For $20 you had hundreds of choices. I went back there this weekend and found out they closed them all. Me sad.

What local business do you think you could make better if you were to take it over? And if you don’t mind sharing, what changes would you make

Well, let me tell you one I already fixed. This place. I love this place. It’s a home brew supply place. They used to be closed on Sundays. Well, for most of us who work, we only have 2 days to get our brew supplies. There are only 2 places for this in all of metro Denver. Both were closed on Sundays. So, I explained to the proprietor that he needed to be open on Sundays. That is 50% of a home brewers shopping time. I also explained that his one and only competitor was closed on Sundays. So, if he were to be open, he would have a total 24 hour monopoly on all of Denver and it’s zymergist needs.

Then, to show I am compassionate towards staffing needs, I explained: If you don’t have staffing. for 7 days a week, I understand. But… be closed on a Tuesday then. You have to be open on weekends. He agreed, and now they are open every day of the week. So, instead of just complaining about shit like you are up above > I am out there making society better. I love this place, by the way. They are incredibly nice and helpful.

What spot nearby seems to be impossible for businesses to survive in?

Gyros places, anywhere. I love Gyros, it is the perfect food. However, Greek places never last. Parker has had 4 that have come and gone in the last 5 years. There is one new place that just opened, but it is terrible. Also, that Falafel King chain was good, and they have closed. Also closed was Pita Jungle by DU. What is left? 2 places – Yah-Hallah, and Jerusalem. They are close to each other, and very far from me. Oh, there is also that place in Centennial, but their gyros stink since they changed their meat flavor stuff.

Even Champps had gyros on their menu. It is a soul-less sports bar like every sports bar you have been to. The usual menu fodder of burgers and wings. Boring. YET… for some reason, they used to have gyros on their menu. Stranger was it was incredibly good. I do not say that lightly. Anyhow, last time I went back they pulled it from the menu. Oh, you know that home brew place I was just talking about above? It is in a strip mall. In same mall, 3 stores over, used to be a gyro place. So, when I went to get brewing stuff, I would always block out time to get a Gyro. Guess what, they went out of business as well.

We’ve all seen stores that combined books and records, beer and laundry, or coffee and whatever. One of my favorite places to get coffee in Honolulu is a cafe and florist, and there is a car garage that’s also a diner in a town nearby. What would be a cool hybrid of two disparate ideas for somewhere you’d like to hang out?

I’ll refer back to my answer of the first question. It would combine all those things… books and guitars and coffee and dogs. Yes, you can bring your dogs. No, you can’t bring your sister’s dogs… they are psycho. Oh, and we would have a stage where there were readings and performances. Btw, I understand that this business model has been used by thousands. I am not the first person to want to have a hipster coffee joint that was all arty and inclusive. I just think mine would work. Unlike Costco and the Brew Hut, I would be open, always. Somehow. I haven’t quite worked that stuff out yet.

spiders. I have major issues with spiders. Oh, and don’t give me that shit about how great they are for the environment. If you do, I am going to collect all the black widows in my basement well windows and deliver them to your house… to benefit your ecosystem.

these are legitimate fears, though. In high school, I had a van that got infested and I had to bug bomb it. It was an arachno-holocaust. Also, remember the movie ‘Arachanaphobia’? For some dumb reason, I saw it in the theater. When I got out to my car, there was a spider climbing up my door. Not cool.

What’s something you have an unreasonable fondness for?

guitars and pick up trucks. My favorite things. Well, that and boobies. But, I think we can agree that boobies are not an unreasonable fondness.

What’s something you have an unreasonable disliking for?

raisins, and your music collection.

Who’s most likely to bring out the unreasonable in you?

Republicans

Who’s the least unreasonable person you know?

that question is worded horribly. Are you trying to ask ‘who is the most reasonable person you know’? Let’s assume that is the case. Simple, my mom. She taught me a suberb means of reasoning, and understanding. Always try and see the other side. Look at how the other guy probably sees his side of the argument. Understanding that will help you choose your battles more wisely.

Well, Les Paul died and I am bummed. In honor of Les Paul, we are just gonna talk guitars today. It’s my main passion, and life’s work. Cool? Let’s start with the ‘Les Paul’ you all know. It is a solid body electric guitar he invented for Gibson. Let’s back up. Les Paul invented the solid body electric guitar. In short, Les Paul invented the electric guitar. Seriously.

1. Who is your favorite guitarist?

Jerry Garcia. Not just my personal favorite, but I believe the best rock guitarist ever. Yes, better than Hendrix, Page, and Stevie Ray.

.2. Most guitarists are in one of two camps: Stratocaster, or Les Paul – you?

with all due respect to the late great Les Paul, I am a Strat guy. Do you have any idea how goddamn heavy those Les Paul’s are? In the business, it was known as the ‘the log’. No joke! I have written a good deal about that right here.

3. If you could have any guitar, what would it be?

a specific guitar? Jerry’s tiger. In general, one of those 50th Anniversary strats. Oh sweet lord, it is hot. Lemme tell what I would do with it. First, put on a rosewood fretboard. Then, I would get rid of this kahler shit and put a Floyd Rose trem on there. Ah hell, I have not used a whammy bar in 20 years (I refuse to)… so I should just man up and buy a hard tail.

4. Really, what is the deal with Glenn Beck?

I wonder about that. I used to listen to him years ago on the radio. He was great, and really funny. Never partisan, just funny observational stuff. Then, climate change became a hot topic and he became a big denier. That is when I lost respect for him. Hell, even Bush and Cheney have acknowledged climate change. Then, CNN gave Beck a tv stop and he just turned into an over emotive right wing nut job. Total shame. Dude used to be great on daytime radio. I listened almost every day at lunch and never even knew he was a Repub. He was just funny and good.

5. So, just how many guitars do you have?

hmmn, lots. Maybe ten. Let’s count. I have three electrics, two bass guitars, three regular acoustics and a 12 string acoustic on top of that. Also have a ukulele and two guitar hero guitars. I think that is all of them. Oh wait, there is also the BC Rich ST3 with the broken neck. I didn’t set out to collect them, but I can’t stop now. So, send in your guitars now, America. I will take care of them. Here is a pic of most of them, maybe all.